FinMin Mahat returns home from China

KATHMANDU, Aug 12:

Minister for Finance Ram Sharan Mahat, has said his China visit remained beneficial in strengthening the economic relations between Nepal and China.

Talking to journalists after his arrival at the TIA on completion of a week-long China visit, he said that during his meeting with senior Chinese officials they held talks on matters of mutual and economic interests.

Finance Minister Dr. Mahat left for China on August 6 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Lou Jiwei. During his visit Mahat also held talks with Commerce Minister of China, Gao Hucheng.

On the occasion, Commerce Minister Hucheng agreed to activate the bilateral secretary level mechanism, said Mahat. "We urged to settle some of the problems that were remaining when the secretary-level mechanism was passive," he added. "China has accepted this," Mahat added.

Similarly, Minister Mahat urged to improve performance of some Chinese contractor companies saying the performance of some of the contractors´ company was not satisfactory one.

In response to this, the Hucheng urged Nepal to select the companies among those, which provide quality service, and participate in the bidding process.

Likewise, Chinese side expressed concern over the loss of life and property due to landslide and Sunkoshi River water in Sindhupalchowk district while expressing commitment to provide necessary support.

Minister Mahat said he had also expressed his sympathy over the loss of life and property caused by earthquake occurred in Hunan Province, China.

Meanwhile, Chinese Commerce Minister Hucheng expressed the commitment to provide necessary support regarding the request to make Chinese market loose to Nepal to balance the trade between Nepal-China, Minister Mahat said. Nepal has a trade deficit with China at Rs. 65 billion, currently. Nepal has an export of Rs. 2.53 billion while it imports goods of over 68.45 billion every year.

Minister Mahat also met Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region People´s Congress Parliament Baima Chilin during his stay in China.

Minister Mahat observed Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and National Museum among others tourism places of China on his spare time.

Joint Secretary Madhu Marasini, Under Secretary Lal Bahadur Khatri among others accompanied Dr. Mahat during his China visit.

Source: Republica